Harriett RichardGot a spider or misquisto bite this past weekend. No fever but 3 bites on lymphedema arm and one on other arm. Fortunately-swollen lymph node, unfortunately-left arm is swollen. Using Benadryl & cortisone cream. The bite area circles are beginning to... moreGot a spider or misquisto bite this past weekend. No fever but 3 bites on lymphedema arm and one on other arm. Fortunately-swollen lymph node, unfortunately-left arm is swollen. Using Benadryl & cortisone cream. The bite area circles are beginning to harden. I plan on calling my regular dr today. Sometime soon because they really itch!!!! Any suggestions?????#itreallyitches #ihopetofeelbettertomorrow#lymphedema#hardeningless

Harriett RichardThanks for the concern, Margaret. The dr gave me two prescriptions one antibiotic the other is a cream to rub into the bites. He said to call tomorrow if no progress. But the area is no longer warm or so itchy. The lymph node under my arm appears to be... moreThanks for the concern, Margaret. The dr gave me two prescriptions one antibiotic the other is a cream to rub into the bites. He said to call tomorrow if no progress. But the area is no longer warm or so itchy. The lymph node under my arm appears to be shrinking also. Unfortunately, he didn’t think the swelling in my arm with lymphedema would go down.

It’s been three years since I underwent LVA and I have a promising update to share with those interested in the procedure: it works and three years later, I’m still experiencing benefits.
What’s LVA?
LVA is a super micro-surgery where ...

Harry Chait
How old were you when the surgery was performed? was it covered by insurance or Medicare? Dr. Chen is in the Chicago. Do you live in Chicago?

May 4, 2019

Brenna M.
Hi Harry, I was 31 when I had the first surgery. It was covered by insurance - although it was a process, which Dr. Chen's team was VERY helpful in navigating. Dr Chen is in Iowa, not Chicago. I don't live in Iowa or Chicago. I travelled for the surgery.

May 7, 2019

Julie Maulsby
Hi Brenna! I wondered how you were doing now and whether you decided to go ahead with the transfer? I’m also trying to get surgery with Dr Chen but my insurance isn’t cooperating!

August 2, 2019

Amy Tramm
Hi Brenna! Thank you for the encouraging post. I have gone from stage 1 to stage 2 and my oncologist has steered me away from surgical intervention for 10 years. I would love to hear an update! Did you decide to do the VLVT?

December 6, 2019

Brenna M.Hi Amy - happy to chat about if you want to shoot me an email. Bmello924@gmail.com

Im so glad I did the surgery. It stopped my leg from getting worse, but also decreased significantly in size. For many people with stage 1 or 2 it reverses the condition... moreHi Amy - happy to chat about if you want to shoot me an email. Bmello924@gmail.com

Im so glad I did the surgery. It stopped my leg from getting worse, but also decreased significantly in size. For many people with stage 1 or 2 it reverses the condition completely and eliminates the need to wear a stocking. That wasn’t the case for me bc I was too advanced already but still made it much more manageable. But email me if you want to learn more I’m happy to share my experience with you and answer any questions less

Cathy Stelzleni shared Galasso Carol's blog. Hi, I posted today about the question you are asking about. I purchased a compression machine from Amazon recently. It works as good as the one i had at PT. It paid for itself after a couple of weeks of use. It is approximately $485. Good luck.

Hello Everyone,
I am writing this for my wife Carol who has recently been diagnosed with Lymphedema. The condition is in her right leg from the knee down to and including the foot. The treatment that has been recommended for her is massage physical thera...

Hello Everyone,
I am writing this for my wife Carol who has recently been diagnosed with Lymphedema. The condition is in her right leg from the knee down to and including the foot. The treatment that has been recommended for her is massage physical thera...

I have had lymphedema for all 25 years(so far) that I have been on this earth. There is an astonishing amount of misinformation and lack of information available for patients and professionals, so I thought I would share my experience. If you can add to t...

Well I hear a lot talk about self esteem when it comes to women with lymphedema dating. I find it difficult to find a date with someone who has it though. There are guys like me that understand the disease and unlike most men admire a woman with extremely...

I had total knee replacement in May, and developed Lymphedema approx 2 months later. Is there any advice as to how to deal with this, diet, excercise, etc.? I am wearing custom compression thigh high for the affected leg.

I have Lymphedema in one arm brought on recently by a mastectomy 15 years ago. I am struggling to find the most effective armsleeve and am currently looking at the Jobst Bella Strong and Jobst Bella Lite. Does anyone have any experiences with one or...

My sister and I both are candidates for LVA surgery with Dr. Chen in IowaCity, IA. My sister Wendy Boylan is at stage 4 and stage 5 in her legsaccording to the lymphograph. (sp) The insurance company has just deniedher stating it is not medically necessar...

Hi I have had truncle le for 8 year The only treatment I have done was compresson and it gave me more pain after I removed the vest. I am on 30 mgs of slow release morphine and am not getting the same pain managment as when I started My docter will ...

I recently underwent surgical treatment for primary lymphedema in my right leg. The procedure, called LVA (Lymphaticovenous anastomosis) was performed on April 21, 2015 and I’m already seeing a significant improvement in my swelling!

Anna EnsleyHi Brenna, my son just had the surgery in a children’s hospital and we are told no bed rest and bandaging. I’m curious how bad your lymphedema was. My son is stage 2 I think. His feet are the worst. How long did it take for you to see results? How... moreHi Brenna, my son just had the surgery in a children’s hospital and we are told no bed rest and bandaging. I’m curious how bad your lymphedema was. My son is stage 2 I think. His feet are the worst. How long did it take for you to see results? How many connections did he make?

Brenna M.Hi Anna, I'm really glad to hear you son had the surgery. It's most effective the younger the person and the less advanced the stage. I was at stage 4. I think my doctor attempted 6 connections and was able to make 4. I saw results right away, and my leg... moreHi Anna, I'm really glad to hear you son had the surgery. It's most effective the younger the person and the less advanced the stage. I was at stage 4. I think my doctor attempted 6 connections and was able to make 4. I saw results right away, and my leg continued to go down and heal more over the years. I wrote a more recent blog for an update: https://bit.ly/2Ys4yFN

I'm actually going back for my annual check up in a few weeks to discuss any future options to further my healing.

Hello!
I have not posted in a long time, but I think is time I share that kinesio taping has been working very well for me, I was able to learn how to do it by a therapist and now I do it myself. I have not used compression in more than a year now and my...

Has anyone found a relationship between primary lymphedema and kidney functions? Or dysfunctions, I should say? I've had primary lymphedema since 1967, it's well managed since 2009 with CDT, MLD, nightime compression, daily Class IV garment wear, and good...

Sharon Vogel, CLT
Hello, Mr. Miller, I came across your blog question which correlates to another blogger's similar question posed to Dr. Stanley Rockson of LE&RN: https://lymphaticnetwork.org/ask-experts/e/stanley-rockson#496

I have a solution tor those who have one-leg Lymphedema to keep the normal leg at about the same temperature at night as the one that is wrapped.
I insert the Lymphedema-side leg of a pair of pajamas (or sweats, Pilates pant...

I'm a new therapist. When I unwrap my patients bandages there are areas of raised fluid filled skin at the tibia and on the sides where there is space between the foam pieces...is this normal? Can this be avoided?

Staff Certified Lymphedema TherapistHi Julie, I have experienced this before with some of my patients with fragile skin. Really, you just need to protect the blisters under your next bandage and make sure that your bandage isn't too loose. Cellona over these sensitive areas is... moreHi Julie, I have experienced this before with some of my patients with fragile skin. Really, you just need to protect the blisters under your next bandage and make sure that your bandage isn't too loose. Cellona over these sensitive areas is recommended also. Good luck!

I have Lymphedema in one arm brought on recently by a mastectomy 15 years ago. I am struggling to find the most effective armsleeve and am currently looking at the Jobst Bella Strong and Jobst Bella Lite. Does anyone have any experiences with one or...